Retail 24 on Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, had its existing licence revoked in December 2025 due to repeated breaches of conditions. The store's new applicant, Zahid Mohammad, sought a fresh licence to sell alcohol from 10am to midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 2am Friday and Saturday. However, Hammersmith and Fulham Council refused the application on July 14, 2026.
Objections from Residents and Police
The application drew 18 objections during consultation, including from the police and local residents. PC Charlotte Bennett of the Met Police Licensing team stated: "The proposed venue is in a location experiencing high levels of crime, comparative to the rest of the borough. This includes violent crime and anti social behaviour." The Caxton Village Tenants and Residents Association (CVTRA) filed a representation on behalf of 57 locals, warning of existing anti-social behaviour and crime in Shepherd's Bush.
Applicant's Proposal and Amendments
Mr Mohammad intended to buy the store from current owner Kamran Raza, under whose stewardship the original licence was revoked. Mr Mohammad and his proposed business partner, Ehtesham Bukhari, agreed to reduce the requested hours to 10am to 11pm, seven days a week, ahead of the meeting. This led to the council's Noise and Nuisance Team and local councillor Mercy Umeh withdrawing their objections. However, Adrian Overton, Licensing Team Manager, maintained opposition, stating: "We do not believe that the applicant has fully understood the challenging nature of managing an off-licence in an area where there are consistently high levels of ASB and alcohol-fuelled nuisance."
Continued Concerns and Refusal
PC Bennett reiterated her objection despite the amendment, noting two further incidents at Retail 24 since revocation, including stolen laptops recovered on the premises. Local resident Manjit Sanghera described daily issues with people congregating near her home, saying: "Every day, especially in the evenings, I get people standing in my doorway." Mr Mohammad and Mr Bukhari argued they would improve management, with Mr Bukhari stating: "Those failures have informed our approach." However, the licensing sub-committee refused the application in full.
